Maggie, lets hand little Milly over to the childrens home! Jane shouted, her curls bouncing like a shaken rug.
Alex stared at his wife, baffled. Youve lost your mind, Jane. Hand over? What do you mean?
But of course, Jane insisted, shaking her hair. Were expecting a baby soonwhy keep a stranger in the house?
Alex tried to calm her. Jane, thats exactly why itll happenGods rewarding us for helping that poor orphan find a family. You were the one pushing for her adoption!
I only insisted because I feared wed never have our own child. What family is complete without kids? Jane replied, eyes glossy.
Milly, five, lingered in the doorway of the bedroom, bewildered. Was she not theirs? Were they sending her back to the childrens home? Tears welled as she remembered the excitement of a new brother or sister arrivingnow it seemed her own arrival would mean losing her parents.
Sensing the turmoil, Alex rose from the bed and went to the door, where Milly stood, sniffling.
Dad, am I not yours? she asked, big eyes trembling.
Of course, sunshine, Alex scooped her up. Youre my own.
But you said you wanted to send me back, Milly whispered, cheeks streaked with tears.
We took you in, but that doesnt make you any less ours. We love you dearly. Mums hormones are just a bit off with the baby on the way. Lets put you to bed, Alex soothed.
Later, Janes voice cracked through the hallway. Ill leave you, and youll never see the child! I want a normal familyno outsiders!
Jane, calm down! There are no outsiders here, Alex tried to placate her. Millys our daughter too!
I didnt give birth to her! She isnt my child! Janes anger spiralled. Choose: me or her!
Alex helped Milly pack a small suitcase. Youll stay with Grandma while Mum settles down. The baby will be born, Mum will feel better, and well take you back, okay?
Milly nodded, willing to do anything to avoid the childrens home. She adored Grandma Margaret, who always offered her a sweet treat.
Grandma, if Mum tries to send me away, can I stay with you instead? Milly asked as she stepped onto the doorstep.
Mrs. Margaret gave Alex a stern look. He managed a shaky smile: Janes hormones are raging.
Of course, my dear, Margaret replied, helping Milly out of her coat. Mum wont really send you away; shes just scared.
Two months passed. Milly lived with Margaret while Alexs visits grew rarer, torn between his work at the hospital and his job at the factory. One morning, as Margaret prepared breakfast, Milly stared out the window and shouted, Dads coming!
That early? Margaret frowned. It was unusual for Alex to arrive before noon. Sensing trouble, she sent Milly to the kitchen and went to greet her son.
Jane died last night in childbirth. The labour went wrong; the baby didnt survive either, Alex said, collapsing onto the hallway bench, exhaustion heavy on his shoulders.
The three of them sat at the kitchen table, the tea gone cold, the silence thick.
Mum, Im taking Milly home. Its time she returns, Alex announced.
If you wish, I can stay with you for a bit, Margaret asked, eyes searching his.
Thanks, Mum, he murmured.
Milly gaped at the new pink bows waiting for her. Soon shed be a proper schoolgirl, with a crisp uniform and a bright backpack.
A knock sounded at the front door. Alex entered, followed by a petite, wiry woman.
Sweetheart, meet Lizzie. Shell be living with us, Alex said with forced cheer.
Hello, Milly, Lizzie smiled, offering a tiny bouquet. A little something for the first day of school.
Hi, Milly grunted, pushing the flowers aside and heading to her room.
Dont be angry, Alex whispered to Lizzie, Shes a good kid.
I think well get along, Lizzie replied.
Milly slammed her bedroom door, muttering, Right, lets see how that works.
Alex and Lizzie married quietly. Soon Alex earned a promotion and was rarely home. The whole burden of Millys care fell on the delicate shoulders of Lizzie, who tried tirelessly to be a motherfigure: helping with homework, attending parent evenings, taking her to the cinema and cafés. Eventually the girl thawed, trusting her stepmother, and the house settled into a gentle peace.
The school year ended with another shock: Lizzie was pregnant. Milly shut herself in her room, crying for days. Lizzie knocked, pleading, Milly, dont cry! I love you. Ill never give you away. Well always be together; youre my favourite girl.
Really? Milly sniffed, emerging.
Yes, truly, Lizzie embraced her. Youre my own child now.
Months later Milly cradled her tiny brother, amazement in her eyes. Mum, look how funny he is! she giggled, unintentionally calling Lizzie Mum. Lizzie, hiding tears of joy, hugged her tighter.
Two more years slipped by. Milly entered Year Four when tragedy struck: Alex was killed in a car crash. Milly and Lizzie went through their daily chores in a fog, caring for baby Colin and barely speaking, fearing any word would summon tears. Colin, unaware, whined and threw tantrums.
One night, as Colin slept, Lizzie sat beside Milly. Milly, this cant go on forever. We have to keep living. Dads gone, but life moves on. Lets stop the suffering, alright?
Alright, Milly whispered, accepting the truth that her father could not return.
Just as they decided to move forward, a heavy knock sounded. An austere woman in a badge introduced herself as a childwelfare inspector. Milly must go back to the childrens home; shes now parentless.
What about me? Lizzie protested.
Show us the adoption papers! the inspector demanded. None existed. There you have it. Grandmothers too old to care for a child, and youre no parents. Pack up, Eleanor!
Milly felt nothing; the nightmare she had feared was finally here. She was truly alone.
Ill rescue you, Lizzie shouted, but Milly didnt believe her. Who needed an orphan now that Dad was gone? Lizzies own baby seemed to push Milly further away.
Lizzie visited the childrens home occasionally, but Milly never opened the door. She watched from a bench as Lizzie waited, then left. Visits grew rarer until Lizzie vanished altogether.
Nothing left but to play mother, Milly muttered, a bitter smile curling her lips.
Two months later, a scruffy boy named Vance, the local troublemaker, peered into Millys room. What does the headmistress want with me? Milly wondered, bewildered.
The principal says youve been placed with a family, the headmistress announced solemnly. Its not a perfect family, but its something.
I dont want any family, Milly declared darkly. Im cursed with families.
Whether youre lucky or not, youll have to pack and go to your new parents, the headmistress instructed.
Milly drifted out, indifferent to what lay ahead.
Outside the homes gate stood Lizzie, arms crossed.
What are you doing here? Milly asked flatly.
Im here for you.
But Ive already been adopted.
Its me.
You? Millys surprise broke through her apathy.
Yes! I told you youre my child, and Ill never give you away. A lonely mothers rights are hard to secure, but Ive bribed enough to guarantee you a decent life. Were a proper family now. Come on, Colin misses you!
Come Mum
